Doctoral Dissertations

Date of Award

5-1993

Degree Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy

Major

Nursing

Major Professor

Martha Alligood

Committee Members

Lynn Blinn, Inez Tuck, Patricia Droppleman, Rob Heller

Abstract

This study investigated the phenomenon premenstrual syndrome. Premenstrual syndrome is reported by 60-90% of adult females in the USA. Past research has yielded limited understanding of the phenomenon. Historically, premenstrual syndrome has been managed as a disease. This research examines premenstrual syndrome as a naturally occurring, homeodynamic rhythm, within the Rogerian Science of the Unitary Human Being. The purpose of the study was fivefold: (a) to test the theory of perceived dissonance as manifested in premenstrual syndrome, (b) to articulate a theoretical understanding of the pattern manifestation labeled as premenstrual syndrome from a homeodynamic perspective, (c) to identify manifestations of the phenomenon PMS through the use of photo-disclosure, (d) to examine dissonance as perceived through photographs and words, and (e) to explore the utility of the photo-disclosure research methodology in nursing's investigations of common human phenomena. Twenty-one women, between the ages of 30 and 45, who self-identified as experiencing premenstrual syndrome, participated in the study. The research method utilized photo-disclosure, a combination of photographs and written narrative, to phenomenologically capture the experience of women as they experienced PMS and non-PMS. Phenomenological analysis of the women's photographs and narratives yielded a clearer understanding of what women experience with PMS. It emerged that, during PMS, women feel disconnected from themselves, others, their home and the world. This manifests as a feeling of: (a) anger/irritation, (b) overwhelmed/alone, and (c) hopeless/fatigue. When the women were not experiencing PMS there emerged a sense of connection with self, others, home, and the world. This connection manifested as a feeling of: (a) peace/harmony, (b) pride/love, and (c) hope/energy. Three independent coders evaluated the level of dissonance perceived in the words and photographs of the women. The results of the dissonance ratings support the propositions introduced in the theory of perceived dissonance and the re conceptualization of premenstrual syndrome as a rhythm variation within normal female functioning. The implications from this research are threefold : (1) the results provide a clearer understanding of a common female phenomenon, PMS, from the perspective of the client, (2) the results can guide nurses in formulation of management strategies for clients with PMS, and (3) the results support further testing of the theory of perceived dissonance.

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